Well Skuzzy, et al...I am not a Ford fan by a long stretch...but the 315M I ran for 5 years in a 1978 Ford Bronco had no problems of any type with performance or workmanship...from the dealer...it went where no other 4x4s could go...smoked all 4 33x10.50 15in tires from a dead stop...and after 75k I did a rebuild at .20 over and ran it long enough for break in then sold it. Maybe I had a one off or that motor was stamped wrong...but the serials said it was a 315M.
I agree that the 429 boss had some short sighted design flaws...I preferred the 427CJ for street competition but do some aftermarket work to fix the Ford mistakes and it was a hand full for any Chevy or Chrysler product. I purchased a 69 boss used from a guy who needed cash after owning it original for 4 years...after doing some engine and drive train work that car paid for itself in the short time I owned it and I made a little profit on the sale.
My experiences with Ford products, though not stellar...were not disappointing when it came to performance...just wish the electronics were better made.
5pointOh...maybe you can tell me where the "made in china" stamps came from on the insides of the door panels, ignition modules, seat assemblies, radio, dash board...blah blah blah...on my Chevy and Dodge cars. The only things marked "made in USA" clearly on both cars is the glass and a few after market items. There are very few automotive items still manufactured in the US, especially electronic...if Honda is using US manufacturing facilities, that would explain the higher costs...$30hr union wages vs $30/day 3rd world non-union wages is a big difference.